Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Through the Eyes of Author, Stephania H. McGee

   Welcome, fine ladies and gents. Ya'all arrived at exactly the right time. Let's sit on the porch and fan up a cool whiff of August air. Add a slice of peach pie covered in cream, and we'll sit a spell. I've got an extra special guest, so settle your hoop skirts, ladies, and loosen your cummerbunds men. I'm entertaining Stephenia H. McGee and her newest release, In His Eyes. I think you'll find her quite entertaining. (Book Giveaway to follow!)

PT: Hello, Stephenia! So glad to welcome you unto the porch of the Diamond Mine. I always love to start the conversation with genre. Tell us a little about yours.

SM: Christian Historical Fiction. My books are usually set during the Civil War, but I do have some novels in the works that take place during different times in the 1800s. Some are romance, and some just have a romantic thread. 

PT: Ah, just the perfect era for us. Even if it is a mite humid. The most comfortable time for all our antebellum layers is early in the day, while it's still cool. Why don't you tell our readers your idea of a perfect morning?

SM: The perfect morning would be one where I could sleep until I woke up on my own without an alarm clock! Then my boys would get along and play together—without it turning into an argument over something silly!—and my husband and I would enjoy a nice conversation while I make my coffee. Then the four of us would cook a big breakfast together and enjoy it out on the screen porch where the weather would be just right. I’d say that would be the perfect morning.

PT: Yes, ma'am, that does sound like a gentle way to greet the day. Indulge me just one other off the subject question. Are you the sort that enjoys pets? Cats? Dogs? Something other?

SM: We own two dogs and a cat, and I love all three. I’d have to say I’m a dog person, though. My husband bought me a puppy for a wedding gift, and she is my spoiled little fur baby. She’s 14 now, but still sweet and spunky. 

PT: Let's get to  your newest release, In His Eyes. Is there an overall Biblical theme?

SM: For In His Eyes, the overall biblical theme is God’s great love for us. No matter how we may see ourselves, or how others see us, as His children we are precious, loved, and beautiful. I used Isaiah 43:4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you… on the dedication page because I felt it shows how He cares for us. 


PT: What a great verse! And what a beautiful cover! Now we've come to my favorite part. I want to know those five things about Stephania that have absolutely nothing to do with writing.

SM:      1)      I kill plants. I don’t mean to, I promise, but for some reason I just seem to have a
                    brown thumb rather than a green one.
2)      I love to travel. I like seeing new places and experiencing as much culture as I can.
3)      I’m a bit of a foodie. As long as it is not an insect or some kind of eyeball or organ, I will try pretty much anything. At least once.
4)      I have sensitive ears and I can’t stand high-pitch noises. My boys have heard me yell, “Stop squeaking!” through the house on a fairly regular basis.
5)      I have a degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences. I thought about going to vet school, and then I worked for a few years as a horse trainer. But God had other plans (and His are always better!)

PT: A writer with an degree in Animal and Dairy Science. You just don't see that everyday! But I'm sure that helps when you write in a time period of horse drawn vehicles! Stephenia, thank you so much for stopping by our porch and sharing with us.

SM: My pleasure!

You know what that means. We are giving away an ebook of In His Eyes. Please leave a comment below with your email and good luck! We need at least 5 participants to qualify for a drawing. Let's support Christian Fiction and Christian Authors. I know our readers LOVE Christian fiction, so chime in!

If you don't want to wait another moment to read Stephenia H. McGee's novel, In His Eyes, start here at our favorite retailers:


Winner of the 2012 RONE Best Inspirational Book of the year and author of six Historical novels, Stephenia H. McGee writes stories of faith, hope, and healing set in the Deep South. After earning a degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences, she discovered her heart truly lies with the art of story. She put pen to page and never looked back. Stephenia makes her home in Mississippi where she sips sweet tea on the front porch with her husband and two little boys and dreams up tales of days gone by. Visit her at www.StepheniaMcGee.com for books, updates, and more.


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am also a fellow plant killer! You would be a new author to me, so I am grateful for the contest. I think your degree is quite interesting considering you're an author. Thank you!

Stephenia H. McGee said...

Hello Perrianne! Thank you for stopping by! Yes, God knew that I would end up with too many back problems to be a vet or a horse trainer. His ways are always better than ours, because now I cannot imagine life without my true passion...writing! Good luck and have a great day!

Stephenia H. McGee said...

Peggy,
Thank you for having me on today. This was a fun interview! Good luck on the contest, everyone!
Happy Reading!

Unknown said...

I love the verse you included. Sometimes we see ourselves as the world sees us not how God sees us. I am going through that right now. Looking forward to reading your book.

Brenda W said...

I love flowering plants, shrubs and bulbs. Wish I did better with house plants.
I'm amazed to find your degree is not in something related to writing.
My favorite type of books are historical fiction taking place in the 1800's.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the lovely interview. Stephania is a new author to me. I also have a brown thumb like her and sensitive ears too! This sounds like a wonderful book I would love to read.
mrypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann

Connie Porter Saunders said...

I enjoyed this post and I look forward to reading In His Eyes. Thanks for sharing!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

Stephenia H. McGee said...

Thank you, everyone. It makes me feel better to know I am not the only one who struggles with plants!

Jackie said...

I saw the link to this interview on heartwings.Thanks for introducing me to this new to me blog. I am definitely a dog person.Too bad you can't drop a picture of your furchild...or can you?

Stephenia H. McGee said...

I don't think it lets me do pictures. I'm sorry!

Trixi said...

My dad was the green thumb of the family. Me, not so much! I don't even have houseplants....lol! But I'm a great admirer of other peoples plants & flowers :-)

Fun interview, thanks for sharing Stephenia with us. And for the giveaway chance, been eyeballing this book for a while. I just love that cover, I believe I seen a behind-the-scenes cover shoot somewhere. That would be a blast!

teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

arletta said...

I plant a large garden every year and also have house plants. They do well under my care but at the same time I don't buy plants that require a lot of babying. If they need special pruning or fertilizer then they're not for me!

Winnie said...

What a fun interview! I'd love to win a copy of your new book, Stephenia. It was such fun seeing you at CFRR. Your costume was a hit! Thanks for sharing your time and talents.

whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

Peggy Trotter said...

Love all the comments! Keep them rolling in! And you are welcome, Stephania! I love interviewing exciting authors!